LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Manager system wrong for Port Orchard

City managers tend to work in municipalities much larger than Port Orchard, primarily because these cities have budgets to support required salaries. When managers quit (which seems to be happening with alarming regularity on Bainbridge Island), severance pay, benefits, vacation, still must be paid. Also, managers aren’t affirmed by a citizens vote but are hired and fired by city councils.

Do we really want to concentrate all power in councils? How do we pay a manager without negatively impacting services the city provides?

Managers typically come from pools of people with backgrounds starting in business school. They tailor themselves into professional city managers. These highly mobile individuals are willing to, and frequently do, uproot themselves at the drop of a hat and move on to the next bigger and better position, intent on fleshing out their resume.

A mayor, on the other hand, comes from the people and is elected by them. A mayor’s background and roots are in the community. They wake up to face the public every day. A mayor is invested in and cares about the community’s future, embracing plans and growth policies that will not only affect them, but their children and grandchildren.

As Port Orchard grows and revitalizes itself, we need a steady hand at the helm who has passion, vision and commitment to make this the best little city it can be.